CLINICAL AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC PARAPLEGIA LIVING IN SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile of individuals with paraplegia living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Method: The sample consisted of 60 outpatients with traumatic paraplegia from whom clinical and demographic data were obtained. Results: The patients were predominately men (86.7%), single (61.7%), with mean age of 32.9 (SD=9.47) years, and complete or incomplete primary education (63.3%). Although 41.7% were born in different states, all patients were current residents of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The most frequent cause of paraplegia was firearm injury (63.3%) followed by car accident (20%). The most common complications observed in the patients were urinary (88.3%) and anal (45%) incontinence, muscle spasm (65%), and pressure ulcers (26.7%). Conclusion: The data revealed that the sample consisted predominantly of young males with low education level, showing complications due to SCI, and who were victims of urban violence.